I checked this with the Airdrieonians' historian, John Henderson, and he advised that the semi-final was actually between Carfin Shamrock and Albion Rovers. It was a draw but Carfin won the replay on October 31st.

Airdrieonians drew with Royal Albert on October 4th in the other semi-final, Royal Albert winning the replay on June 7th.

Mmm, not sure about the estimable Robin Marwick's book, but Mr Henderson is seldom wrong.

It's possible that on this occasion he just might be. To take Brian's point re the date. Though Marwick doesn't give dates, he says that on the Tuesday after the first tie with Carfin Shamrock, Rovers played a friendly against Sunderland. The RSSSF archive has that match on an unknown date in May 1890. With an Express Cup match v Motherwell and two replayed ties v Carfin Shamrock that ties in with a mid-June final.

FAO - Nightfire (or anyone else whose interested) - John H has advised he has copies of reports on all the Carfin ties and would be happy to scan them through to you. If you pass me your private email address, I'll forward it on to him.

sam peckinpah wrote:FAO - Nightfire (or anyone else whose interested) - John H has advised he has copies of reports on all the Carfin ties and would be happy to scan them through to you. If you pass me your private email address, I'll forward it on to him.